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Vermont Academy students return from The Wild Center with fresh ideas for sustainability, environmental leadership, and a campus Swap Shop project.
Vermont Academy students joined young environmental leaders from across the region at the Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, held October 21-22, 2026, at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. The gathering brought together students, educators, scientists, and environmental professionals for two days of learning, collaboration, exploration, and climate action planning.
Focused on climate action planning, green careers, and youth leadership, the summit offered students an opportunity to explore environmental challenges, learn from people working toward solutions to protect the climate, and discover practical ways to make a difference in their own communities.
For Vermont Academy students, the experience was both educational and energizing as it provided new momentum for sustainability initiatives on campus and beyond. Student leaders included Elliott Carr ’28, Maya Carbone ’27, Scanlan Forrest ’28, Zane Hoey ’29, Calleigh Ogrady ’28, Becca Sadlon ’27, Elizabeth Thompson ’27, Lyla Whigham ’28, and led by Environmental Science Chair and 19 year VA educator, Christine Armiger.
Throughout the summit, students participated in workshops and discussions exploring a wide range of environmental topics. From energy efficiency and composting to light pollution, microplastics, and refrigerants, the sessions connected scientific research with everyday choices and larger community challenges.
Elliott Carr ’28, was particularly struck by learning how microplastics can enter aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in organisms such as fish. The experience prompted further questions about the potential presence and effects of microplastics in humans.
Zane Hoey ’29, found inspiration in learning about the environmental impacts of refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They hope to research the issue further and explore the possibility of organizing a local air conditioner and refrigerator collection initiative.
Students also learned from adults working in climate science and related fields; hearing about their education, research, and professional experiences helped students see the many paths available to those interested in environmental work. Just as important, the summit created space for students to connect with peers from other schools who share their interests. Participants exchanged ideas, learned about environmental projects underway in other communities, and considered how those approaches could be adapted at Vermont Academy. Lyla Wingham ’28 reflected “Often I feel hopeless or defeated in my work in climate activism as I am often the only young person, but attending the climate summit and seeing how many other young people are also working in the fight for climate change helped me to get re-motivated and see that there is still hope.”
Environmental Science Chair, Christine Armiger reflected, “Meaningful environmental change starts with collaboration, community involvement, and small actions.”
A major focus for the Vermont Academy delegation was developing plans for the school's Swap Shop, an initiative designed to encourage reuse and reduce waste. Drawing inspiration from other schools, including Emma Willard School, students worked together to identify opportunities to strengthen the project and build a greater culture of sustainability on campus. Their discussions helped shape an action plan for a campus initiative called the Land Lab, connecting the Swap Shop project with broader possibilities for environmental learning and action. Swap Shop is a free, student-run thrift store where students donate gently used clothing, bedding,shoes,and other miscellaneous items they no longer need, allowing anyone to browse and take what they need at no cost.
Students returned with ideas for making sustainability more visible and accessible throughout the school community. These include exploring locally sourced food and clean energy, planting native species, reducing waste, and finding additional ways to incorporate environmental awareness into campus life.
The summit also introduced students to the growing practice of community repair fairs. At these events, people bring broken or damaged belongings and learn how to repair them with help from skilled community members. Repair fairs can reduce waste, extend the useful life of everyday items, and create opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to share knowledge.
Inspired by this model, the group hopes to collaborate with the school's Environmental Club and the Rockingham Conservation Commission to organize a repair fair in Saxtons River or Bellows Falls. These ideas demonstrate how a regional gathering can lead to tangible local projects, connecting environmental learning and community with practical steps that students can take at school and at home.
For many students, the summit's greatest value extended beyond any single workshop. Participants described the importance of meeting others who care deeply about the environment and hearing different perspectives on how to make change happen.
Becca Sadlon ’27, was intrigued by learning how other schools approach climate activism and to explore ways Vermont Academy could expand its involvement. Elizabeth Thompson ’27, was eager to hear about the experiences of adults working in environmental fields while collaborating with fellow students on the Swap Shop project.
Students consistently said they would recommend the summit to other Vermont Academy students, highlighting the summit’s opportunities for learning, creativity, teamwork, and environmental leadership.
The experience also offered time to appreciate the natural world. Set amid the Adirondacks, The Wild Center provided opportunities to explore its exhibits and experience the surrounding landscape. For students studying environmental issues, spending time immersed in nature reinforced the connection between understanding the environment and working to protect it. According to Maya Carbone ’27, the summit is a valuable way to “Get your foot in the door of environmental leadership.”
Back
For Vermont Academy students, the experience was both educational and energizing as it provided new momentum for sustainability initiatives on campus and beyond. Student leaders included Elliott Carr ’28, Maya Carbone ’27, Scanlan Forrest ’28, Zane Hoey ’29, Calleigh Ogrady ’28, Becca Sadlon ’27, Elizabeth Thompson ’27, Lyla Whigham ’28, and led by Environmental Science Chair and 19 year VA educator, Christine Armiger.
Throughout the summit, students participated in workshops and discussions exploring a wide range of environmental topics. From energy efficiency and composting to light pollution, microplastics, and refrigerants, the sessions connected scientific research with everyday choices and larger community challenges.
Elliott Carr ’28, was particularly struck by learning how microplastics can enter aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in organisms such as fish. The experience prompted further questions about the potential presence and effects of microplastics in humans.
Zane Hoey ’29, found inspiration in learning about the environmental impacts of refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They hope to research the issue further and explore the possibility of organizing a local air conditioner and refrigerator collection initiative.
Students also learned from adults working in climate science and related fields; hearing about their education, research, and professional experiences helped students see the many paths available to those interested in environmental work. Just as important, the summit created space for students to connect with peers from other schools who share their interests. Participants exchanged ideas, learned about environmental projects underway in other communities, and considered how those approaches could be adapted at Vermont Academy. Lyla Wingham ’28 reflected “Often I feel hopeless or defeated in my work in climate activism as I am often the only young person, but attending the climate summit and seeing how many other young people are also working in the fight for climate change helped me to get re-motivated and see that there is still hope.”
Environmental Science Chair, Christine Armiger reflected, “Meaningful environmental change starts with collaboration, community involvement, and small actions.”
A major focus for the Vermont Academy delegation was developing plans for the school's Swap Shop, an initiative designed to encourage reuse and reduce waste. Drawing inspiration from other schools, including Emma Willard School, students worked together to identify opportunities to strengthen the project and build a greater culture of sustainability on campus. Their discussions helped shape an action plan for a campus initiative called the Land Lab, connecting the Swap Shop project with broader possibilities for environmental learning and action. Swap Shop is a free, student-run thrift store where students donate gently used clothing, bedding,shoes,and other miscellaneous items they no longer need, allowing anyone to browse and take what they need at no cost.
Students returned with ideas for making sustainability more visible and accessible throughout the school community. These include exploring locally sourced food and clean energy, planting native species, reducing waste, and finding additional ways to incorporate environmental awareness into campus life.
The summit also introduced students to the growing practice of community repair fairs. At these events, people bring broken or damaged belongings and learn how to repair them with help from skilled community members. Repair fairs can reduce waste, extend the useful life of everyday items, and create opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to share knowledge.
Inspired by this model, the group hopes to collaborate with the school's Environmental Club and the Rockingham Conservation Commission to organize a repair fair in Saxtons River or Bellows Falls. These ideas demonstrate how a regional gathering can lead to tangible local projects, connecting environmental learning and community with practical steps that students can take at school and at home.
For many students, the summit's greatest value extended beyond any single workshop. Participants described the importance of meeting others who care deeply about the environment and hearing different perspectives on how to make change happen.
Becca Sadlon ’27, was intrigued by learning how other schools approach climate activism and to explore ways Vermont Academy could expand its involvement. Elizabeth Thompson ’27, was eager to hear about the experiences of adults working in environmental fields while collaborating with fellow students on the Swap Shop project.
Students consistently said they would recommend the summit to other Vermont Academy students, highlighting the summit’s opportunities for learning, creativity, teamwork, and environmental leadership.
The experience also offered time to appreciate the natural world. Set amid the Adirondacks, The Wild Center provided opportunities to explore its exhibits and experience the surrounding landscape. For students studying environmental issues, spending time immersed in nature reinforced the connection between understanding the environment and working to protect it. According to Maya Carbone ’27, the summit is a valuable way to “Get your foot in the door of environmental leadership.”
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
